Typical food of Puerto Montt, Chile

Salmon is the most popular culinary resource in Puerto Montt, that makes this destination famous. It is a fish rich in natural oils and is part of a typical dish in the south part of Chile known as "Cancato". This exquisite dish is prepared with sausage, onion, pepper, tomato, cheese, spices, garlic, olive oil, and white wine. The fish is marinated in lemon and salt while the ingredients are browned in oil. Then, the salmon is sealed on both sides, covered with the fried ingredients and the cheese, and wrapped in foil to concentrate the flavors and melt the cheese. It is usually served with cooked potatoes and a regional white wine. Another dish that you can enjoy in the Puerto Montt's market is the "Curanto", cooked either in a pot or a hole. The preparation of this dish is hard and its cooking is slow. Ingredients include seafood (clams and shrimps), sausage, pork chops, chicken, potato, cabbage, white wine, salt, and garlic. The white wine is heated in a big pot, with the shrimps, the meat, and the potatoes, and all the ingredients are covered with cabbage leaves and cooked at medium heat. The result is a unique dish usually served with a good white wine.

After a delicious meal, a dessert is the perfect end. In the region you can find the traditional "Alfajor", a candy filled with milk sweet and decorated with grated coconut on the edge, or covered with milk or dark chocolate. "Pan de pascua" is very common for Christmas and New Year. It is a cake with a lemon peel aroma, a touch of liquor (rum, cognac or pisco), crystallized fruits, raisins, and nuts.

During the Christmas celebration, this cake is accompanied by a cocktail known as "Cola de mono", in allusion to the bottles of the liquor Anís del Mono. This drink consists of brandy, milk, coffee, sugar, and spices.

The most famous restaurants of Puerto Montt are located in the Angelmó cove, such as Cuento del Mar, serving delicious fish and seafood prepared with local recipes.

Weather

Useful Tips

If you travel between November and April, we suggest that you dess in layers, since temperature descends in the evening.

If you travel during the cold season, you should bring a coat and winter clothing, including gloves and a scarf.

The weather in Puerto Montt, Chile

Puerto Montt has an oceanic climate with moderate cold temperatures during the cold season and warm days during the hot months. The average annual temperature is 11 °C (52 °F). Rainfall is heavy and constant throughout the year with an annual average precipitation of 1,800 mm (71 in).

What to bring by season

Cold season (May to October): days are cold during this season in Puerto Montt, with an average temperature of 8 °C (46.4 °F) and maximum temperatures of 14 °C (57.2 °F). July has the lowest temperatures of the year, with an average of 4 °C, as well as the heaviest rains with an average of 22 rainy days and 229 mm (9 in) of rainfall, and a relative humidity of 87%. We suggest that you pack winter clothing, a coat or jacket, a rain jacket or umbrella, water-resistant comfortable shoes, and woolen socks.
Fresh season (November to April): the average temperature in these months is 13 °C (55.4 °F), with maximum temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F) in January and minimums of 7 °C (44.6 °F) during April at night. During this season in Puerto Montt, it rains an average of 15 days per month and the humidity level is 80%. We recommend that you bring light clothing to wear during the day, as well as a jacket and warm clothes to wear at night. You may also need a rain jacket or umbrella and comfortable shoes.

Overview

About Puerto Montt, Chile

Puerto Montt is situated in the northern region of Reloncaví, the gulf where the Chilean Patagonia starts. In 1979, the city was designated the capital of Región de Los Lagos, and it is the closest to the Chiloé archipelago.

Puerto Montt was founded by Vicente Pérez Rosales in 1853 to honor Manuel Montt Torres, the head of state of that period. The city was built by Chilean and German settlers, and given its geographical location, it is a territory rich in fishery resources and is the main business center in the south of Chile. The destination is a port of loading and also receives a great number of cuise ships every summer. Some of the tourist attractions of Puerto Montt are Iglesia Catedral, built in 1856 with larch wood, featuring a style inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. The small bay of Angelmó is a tourist site where you can find many handicrafts and marine products on sale.